User Reviews

Reviews by soulgrowl:

4.28/5 rDev +7.5%vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4

I'm glad I finally got around to visiting the Wild Hare. It's within walking distance of where I live, it's got a friendly and unpretentious atmosphere, they were playing Billie Holliday when I went, and their beer selection is quite a treat, even if it isn't quite as extensive as a place like Lucky Baldwin's.

On tap, there's a few boring but not bad beers, like Newcastle, Stella, and Hacker-Pschorr, but then they've also got fairly amazing stuff like Delirium Tremens, Kostritzer Black, Craftsman seasonals, Craftsman IPA, AVB Boont Amber and Oatmeal Stout, and Chimay Tripel. They've also got a selection of canned and bottled beers, including 40s of malt liquor. The selection is not enormous, but you can tell that they've chosen what they have deliberately and won't pander to mainstream tastes. I think they're probably in cahoots with Galco's, which is just a mile up the road.

The atmosphere was nice, kind of plain, pretty well-lit (almost too well-lit), and pretty clean. Our bartender was really friendly, so friendly that I didn't care when they were out of Chimay and Craftsman IPA. When my friend ordered a DT, she hit the bottom of the keg, so his glass was mostly head at first. She gave it to him on the house, even though it leveled out ot be almost completely full. And speaking of glasses, they use the right kind for every beer. My one complaint is that they serve it a tad too cold.

So I definitely recommend this place. It's fun and friendly and they do good by their beer.

More User Reviews:

3.73/5 rDev -6.3%vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3

Wow, this place charges a lot for a beer--$8.75 for Chimay and DT, $5.75 for Anderson and the like. The selection hasn't changed since JL reviewed it a year ago. Good if you like Craftsman and Anderson Valley and you're in that part of town, I guess. Attractive place, nice booths, goddess-like bartender, but no reason to go out of your way for it. I was under the impression it would be a bit more of a dive, but it's not at all. Terrfic jukebox. Didn't eat anything, JL says it's good. Nothing seemed snackey, i.e. shareable. All in all, pleasant but too pricey to make it a desireable destination.

They also have Mickey's 40oz bottles and will hook you up with 5 liter party kegs right at your table. The food is made from scratch and is quite great for pub snacks -- fries, sausage, pate, salads, soups and they will be expanding the menu shortly. best of all, FOOD IS SERVED UNTIL 1:00 AM! And, if you tip well enough, the bartenders will whip you up a snack after the cooks go home.

The Wild Hare is in the gritty working-class neighborhood of Highland Park--think the polar opposite of Father's Office--and is all the better for it. Most patrons live nearby and walk there. Always a fun atmosphere and a good time. Pretty great jukebox, too.